Apparatus for simultaneously drilling and casing a well hole



J 1965 P. H. DAVEY, SR.. ETAL 3,190,378

APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY DRILLING AND CASING A WELL HOLE Filed Sept.18, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l l l INVENTORJ. PWL h. Dave) 6/9.

P1904 h- ZJ/sMsY J7? J 1965 P. H. DAVEY, sR., ETAL 3,190,373

APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY DRILLING AND CASING A WELL HOLE Filed Sept.18, 1962 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mag;

June 22, 1965 P. H. DAVEY, SR, ETAL APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLYDRILLING AND CASING A WELL HOLE Filed Sept. 18, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3HTTO/TNEYJ United States Patent 3,190,378 APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUS'LYDRILLING AND CASING A WELL HOLE Paul H. Davey, Sn, and Paul H. Davey,In, both of 600 Franklin Ave., Kent, Ohio Filed Sept. 18, 1962, Ser. No.224,335 4 Claims. (Cl. 175-457) This invention relates to apparatus forsimultaneously drilling and casing a well hole and more particularly fordrilling a hole by rotating and forcing downward a drill rod having adrill bit at its lower end, and simultaneously pulling a casing into theground at a predetermined location relative to the bit by coupling thecasing to the drill rod.

This invention contemplates the provision of a length of well casing, ahollow shoe concentric with and rotatably mounted on the lower end ofthe casing, a drill rod centrally of the casing having a drill bit atits lower end, power means for urging said drill rod downwardly, andinterengaging projections on the drill rod and the hollow shoe effectivewhen the drill bit is a predetermined distance relative to the shoe sothat the shoe and casing are always compelled to follow the drill bitdownwardly at this predetermined distance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe withdownwardly directed cutting means on its lower end and the shoe havinginwardly directed projections that are adapted to engage with pull-downmeans carried on an associated drill rod, the pull down means engagingthe projections on the shoe so that rotation of the drill rod causesrotation of the shoe in a direction to cause elfective action of thecutting means on the shoe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel pull downprojections as hereinafter described and claimed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel cuttingshoe adapted for coaction with a casing and a drill rod in thecombination mentioned hereinabove.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear fromthe accompanying drawings and description and the essential featureswill be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a drill rig adapted to carry outthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same presenting mostly a side view;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the lower end of a well casing and drillrod adapted to carry out this invention and partly broken away incentral section to more clearly show the construction of L-shapeprojections provided on the drill rod for coupling with lugs provided ona hollow shoe rotatably attached to the casing;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental perspective view, enlarged, to illustrate thecoaction of L-shape pull down members fastened to the drill rod as theyengage projections which extend radially inward from a rotatable hollowshoe; while FIG. 6 is a fragmental view showing a modification of aportion of the structure shown in FIGURE 3.

When rotary drilling well holes, particularly in loose ice soil, it iscustomary to drill a length of hole, then withdraw the drill string, andthen place the casing. It often occurs that this is an inefiicientmanner of operating because material from the drill hole falls in beforethe casing can be inserted and the hole must be drilled out again. Oneof the features of the present invention provides the simultaneouscasing of the hole along with the rotary drilling thereof so as toprevent any loose ma terial falling into the drill hole before it can becased.

In the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a more or lessconventional drill rig for drilling well holes using rotary drills. Onlythe parts essential to understanding the present invention will bedescribed. A mast 10 is mounted on a truck 11 for easy transportationfrom place to place. Mounted for vertical sliding movement in twoparallel vertical side members of the mast 10 is a cross head 12. Thiscross head carries an hydraulic motor for rotatably driving a drivequill 13 which projects from the lower end of the cross head. Suitablehydraulic lines and a pump are provided for driving this hydraulic motorbut further description of the same is deemed unnecessary here. Powermeans is provided for moving the cross head and connected drill string14 downwardly during the drilling operation. In the present form thiscomprises two drive chains 15 attached to opposite sides of the crosshead and extending downwardly on the forward side of the mast as viewedin FIG. 1, then around drive sprockets 16 at the bottom of the mast andthen partly up the rearward side of the mast as indicated at 15a whereeach of the chains is connected to a length of cable 17 extending to thetop of the mast, over an associated pulley 18 and downwardly on thefront side of the mast where the cable is attached to the cross head.Thus, each chain 15 and associated cable 17 makes a continuous tensionmember passing around sprockets 16 at the foot of the mast and aroundpulleys 18 at the top of the mast. Power means is provided for rotatingsprockets 16 in a direction to cause downward movement of chains 15 atthe front side of the mast. This comprises a motor 19 mounted on thetruck 11 and connected by suitable gearing 20 to drive the sprockets 16.

As is well understood by those skilled in this art, in using this kindof rig in a well drilling operation, a length of drill rod 14 isattached to the drive quill 13, usually by a threaded connection, thenthe hydraulic motor in the cross head 12 is operated to rotate the drillrod while at the same time a downward pressure is exerted by the chains15 from the power source 19. A drill bit 21 is attached at the lower endof the drill rod as more clearly seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. To the lowestend of the drill rod structure 14 is attached a short length of rod 14awhich carries the drill bit 21. This connection is customarily made bymeans of the threads 22.

In carrying out the present invention, a length of casing 23 issupported in the drill rig in any suitable fashion concentric andoutside of the drill rod 14 which, when composed of a number of lengthsof drill rod, is usually referred to as a drill string. In carrying outthe present invention, a hollow, generally cylindrical shoe 24 isrotatably mounted on the lower end of the lowest portion of casing 23 bymeans preventing substantial axial movement between the shoe 24 and thecasing 23. As best seen in FIG. 3, the shoe 24 is composed of a lowerpart 24a on the bottom edge of which are formed three cutting teeth 25which are inclined downwardly and in one arcuate dicause cutting actionof the teeth 25. The portion 24a also has an inwardly opening annularrecess 26 adapted to receive an annular ring 27 which is welded to thecasing 23. An upper portion of the shoe 24 indicated at 24b is thensecured to the lower portion 24a either by welding as indi- 1 cated inFIG. 3 or by the use of threaded connection as indicated in FIG. 6. Oneof the portions 24a or 24b has i an annular horizontally positionedshoulder 28 adapted to ride on the ring'27 so as to givea bearing therefor. rotation of theshoe 24 relative to the casing 23; At the same time,substantial axial movement of the shoe 24 relativeto the casing 23 isprevented by the embracing of the ring 27 by theannular opening 26,because the relative radial clearance between the shoe 24and the outsidediameter of casing 23 is very slight. Annular dirt seals 29"may be 1provided between the casing and the shoe 24 as 'shownin FIG. 3,ifdesired. I i

Means is provided for causing the lowest length of casing 23 to followdownwardly a predetermined distance behind the drill bit 21. Thiscomprises radially inwardly.

directed projection means on the shoe 24here shownras three inwardlydirected projections 30 evenly spaced around the shoe, 241arcuately.Pull-down means is then.

providedon the drill rodiend 14a to coact with the projec tions incarrying out this-invention- In the form shown, this comprises threeL-shape members 31 spaced 120 apart and Welded to the drill rod member14a. Each of the vertical legs of the L-shape members 31 rests againstone vertical face of one of the projections 30 so that rotation of thedrill rod and bit 21 in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 4 will causerotation of the shoe 24 in the direction toward which the horizontallegs of the L-shape members are pointing as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. Thehorizontal legs 31a of each L-shape projection, as seen in. FIGS. ,4 and5, rests upon the flat horizontal topof one,;of the projections 30.

The operation of this improved device should now'be clear. With drillrod 14 carrying rod member 14a, and drill-bit 21 at its lowerend,properly connected to the drive quill 13, and with a length'of casing 23having the shoe 24 connected to its lower end as described supported inthe drill rig concentric with the drill string, the hydraulic motor inthe cross'head 12 is operated to rotate the drill rod while at the sametime pressure downwardly is exerted on the cross head through the drivechains 15. The drill bit 21 will then enter the ground and the L-shapepulldown mem bers 31 will engage against the projections 3i t'o draw thecasing 23 down simultaneously with the drill rod whenever the horizontallegs 31a of the pull-down members 31 engage on the top of theprojectionsfitl which are.

attached to the shoe 24. At the same time, the vertical the shoe 24 atpositions wellabove the teeth 25. These teeth actually lie near thebottom of the vertical portions of the L:shape projections 31 leaving asmall distance be= tween the cutting teeth 25 and the drill 21. Asmentioned hereinabove, the teeth 25 follow downwardly at a distanceapproximately three inches above the bottom of the drill bit 21'. Inactual use, the vertical portions of the projections 31 engage theprojections 30 on the shoe 24 along the entire length of theverticallegs 31 so that the shoe 24 is rotated during several inches ofvertical travel of the drill string with the vertical legs of theprojections 31 engaging the members 39 long before thehorizontal portion31a reaches the'position shown in'FIG. 5. Actually, any

small amount of material lying radially'between the bit 21 and shoe 24is engaged and removed by the bottoms of the L-shape members 31-.

One of the advantages of the present method and apparatus is that iteliminates the need" for coordination of casing and drill rod lengths asprogressive lengths are added to each of these as the hole is drivendeeper into the ground. It will be understood by those skilled in theart that consecutive lengths of casing 23 are aligned and usuallyjoinedito each other by means of-a weld or by' screw joints as thecasing is extended into the ground;

It will be noted that there is no obstruction below the horizontal legs31a of the pull-down projections so that at the end' ofi a drillingoperation, tliedrill string 23 can be pulled upwardly with the pull-downmembers 31 clearing the projections 30, thusleaving the shoe 24inthe'ground. The savings accomplished in speed'of drilling by the useof this invention-makes it economicalto use the shoe 24 even though thesame is leftinthe hole afterward-s.

If, during drilling, for any reason it is desirable to proceed withdrilling using only the drill bit 21 without referlegs of the L-shapemembers 31 will push against the sides of the projections 3% to causerotation of the shoe 24 relative to the casing 23 causing a cuttingactionof the teeth 25 and thus more easily causing the downward movementof the casing into the ground 'a predetermined distance back of the bit21. In one form of this invention using a drillbit approximately threeinches in diameter, the teeth 25 of the shoe 24 follow downwardly at adistance 'ap proximately three inches above the bottom of the drill bit.

It will be understood by those skilled in this art that a v flushingofthe drill hole is provided in the usual manner. This comprises a centralbore 32 extending downwardly in the drill string from the cross-head 12.and provided with spring pressed check valve 33 at the bottom whichpermits flow of the flushing fluid downwardly through the bore 32 fromthe cross head 12 then outwardly through openings 34 in the bottom ofthe drill bit and thenupwardly through the space 35 between the drillstring and the casing 23 and thus out openings at the topofthe casingnot here indi cated. The flushing fluid is introduced through a hose atthe cross head 12 in the usual manner. a

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, it will i be noted thatthe section line 3-3 of FIG. 4 cuts through ence to the position of thelower end of the casing, it is always possible to disengage thehorizontal legs 31aof the IL-shape members 31 so that they verticallyclear the projections or-lugs 30 and thereafter the drill bit may be feddownwardlyindependently ofthe casing.

' Whatiscla'imed is: 1

1. In combination, -a length of well casing, a hollow shoe concentricwith and rotatably mounted on the lower end of said casing, the shoehaving cutting means for drilling downwardly, a drill'r-od locatedcentrally of the casing. having a drill bit at its lower end, inwardlyprojecting means rigid with the shoe, and outwardly directed pull-downmembers on saiddrill-rod having horizontal p rtions efliective toengage-above said projecting means when the drill bit is *apredetermined distance below the shoe and to pull said shoe and saidcasing downwardly after the bit, saidpull-down members also havingvertical portions eifectivetoengage the projecting means so that arotation of thedrill rod causes rotation of the shoe in a directioneffective to operate the cutting" means.

'2. The combination defined in claim 1 in' which the hollow sh-oe hasonits; lower'edge. teeth directed downwardly and in one arcuate direction,and the drill rod and pull-downzme-mbers .arefree' of parts-lying belowthe projecting means whereby .after a drilling operation the .drill rodmay be pulled upward'lcav-ing the casing and wardly and cuttingin onearcuate direction, inwardly directed project-ionmeans rigid with theshoe and including lugs, each lugfhaving a generally horizontal top anda generally 'vertical side, and outwardly directed pull-down members onsaid r-od comprising a plurality of L-shaped members rigidly connectedto the rod, one leg of each L- shaped member being generally horizontaland engageable over the top of its associatedlug, the other leg ofmergers each L-shaped member being generally vertical and engaging saidgenerally vertical side of its associated lug whereby rotation of thedrill rod causes rotation of the shoe, the L-shaped member 'beingeifective to drive the shoe in said one arcuate direction, said drillrod and pulldown members being free of parts lying below the projectionmeans whereby after a drilling operation said rod may be pulled upwardleaving said casing and shoe in the ground.

4. A cutting shoe for attachment to a predetermined 10 6 ment betweenthe shoe and the casing, said shoe having inwardly extending projectionsfor engagement with pulldown means on a drill rod, and having on itslower edge teeth directed downwardly and in one arcu-ate direction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 973,752 10/10Cahn et a1. l7562 2,594,098 4/ 52 Vanderzee 173-147 X 2,675,213 4/54Poole et al l75-l7l X 2,948,514 8/60 Long 175-57 CHARLES E. OCO'NNELL,Primary Examiner.

15 BENJAMIN BENDETT, Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION, A LENGTH OF WELL CASING, A HOLLOW SHOE CONCENTRICWITH AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE LOWER END OF SAID CASING, THE SHOEHAVING CUTTING MEANS FOR DRILLING DOWNWARDLY, A DRILL ROD LOCATEDCENTRALLY OF THE CASING HAVING A DRILL BIT AT ITS LOWER END, INWARDLYPROJECTING MEANS RIGID WITH THE SHOE, AND OUTWARDLY DIRECTED PULL-DOWNMEMBERS ON SAID DRILL ROD HAVING HORIZONTAL PORTIONS EFFECTIVE TO ENGAGEABOVE SAID PROJECTING MEANS WHEN THE DRILL BIT IS A PREDETERMINEDDISTANCE BELOW THE SHOE AND TO PULL SAID SHOE AND SAID CASING DOWNWARDLYAFTER THE BIT, SAID PULL-DOWN MEMBERS ALSO HAVING VERTICAL PORTIONSEFFECTIVE TO ENGAGE THE PROJECTING MEANS SO THAT A ROTATION OF THE DRILLROD CAUSES ROTATION OF THE SHOE IN A DIRECTION EFFECTIVE TO OPERATE THECUTTING MEANS.